Modern teepee tent



1968 R. G. HUTCHISON I 3,406,598

MODERN TEEPEE TENT Filed June 9, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a. jg jg INVENTOR.

asz le e/s arowso/v f3 1 1? BY Oct. 22, 1968 R. c. HUTCHISON 3,406,698

MODERN TEEPEE TENT Filed June 9, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 P n l l l a 4 a! 32 f9 F.- I, f3 7 67! nvrswraz United States Patent 3,406,698 MODERN TEEPEE TENT Ralph G. Hutchison, Rte. 3, Box 150, Easton, Md. 21601 Filed June 9, 1966, Ser. No. 556,448 1 Claim. (Cl. 135-1) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A conical configurated tent supported from a single central pole, the tent comprising a canvas canopy supported from the apex of the pole, the pole supporting a cook stove, and the lower edge of the canopy having a fiap secured thereto which selectively serves as a flooring for the tent or as an inner wall for a double protection.

This invention relates generally to tents used for out-0fdoors camping.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a camping tent which incorporates a number of features which facilitates comfortable out-of-door camping and which includes a self-contained table, cook stove, auxiliary shelf and protective hood for a camp fire within the tent.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination camping tent of generally conical configuration and having a doorway and which includes an opening at its upper apex to permit smoke to pass outward therefrom.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combination camping tent having a removable cap that may be fitted over the opening at the apex of the tent in case of rainy weather so as to prevent the same from entering into the tent.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination camping tent having a flap adjacent to the inner side thereof which may be lowered to form a floor within the tent and at the same time prevent cold draft from entering under the lower edge of the tent.

Other objects are to provide a combination camping tent which is Simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to set up and efiicient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specifications and accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the present invention shown with the cap removed from the tent,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view showing the supporting structure for the tent canvas,

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tent shown with the door flaps spread apart to expose the tent interior to the out-of-doors,

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 4 of FIGURE 1 and showing the inside flaps dropped to form a floor,

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view in perspective showing a table and its support,

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view of a cook stove and its support,

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the tent supporting structure, and

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation view of a small stake used in conjunction with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the numeral 18 represents a combination camping tent according to the present invention wherein there is a center pole 11 for supporting a conical configurated canvas 11 from its upper end. The post 11 comprises an elongated member, the lower end of which is placed upon the ground and the upper end of which carries a circular flange 13 having a plurality of peripheral openings into which one end of a plurality of tension coil springs 14 are hooked. The opposite ends of the coil springs are each connected to a pulley 15 as shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawing. A rope 16 is passed over each of the pulleys 15 and one end of each of the ropes is connected to a grommet 17 along the upper periphery 18 of the tent canvas 12. A knot 19 is made in the rope 16 at a position between the rope end connected to the grommet 17 and the portion of the rope passing over the pulley 15.

Each of the ropes 16 extends downwardly adjacent to the inner side 20 of the canvas, and the lower end of each rope is connected to a stake 21 driven into the ground 22.

A plurality of support sleeves 23 of tubular nature are fitted over the pole 11, each of the sleeves providing a means for supporting various items upon the pole.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 5 a sleeve 23 is shown to support a table 24. Each sleeve includes a tubular portion 25 and an integral flange 26 which has a pair of integral tubes 27 formed on the underside thereof for purpose of receiving therein the ends 28 of rods 29 secured upon the under side of a table 30. Likewise the supporting sleeves 23 provide means for holding in similar fashion a cooking stove 31 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 6.

As shown in FIGURE 4, another support sleeve 23 provides means for holding a lamp 32.

A flap 33 adjacent to inner side 20 of the canvas 12 forms an inner wall as shown in FIGURE 3, or the flap may be lowered to form a floor as shown in FIGURE 4, in which case the flap will prevent any draft from entering under the edge of the canvas and into the tent.

A hood 34 made of screening of conical configuration may provide means for preventing sparks from a log fire 35 placed thereunder from passing therethrough and being a danger of causing the tent to catch fire. Another hood of similar configuration but of relatively smaller size may be used for placement over the cooking stove 31.

A screen door 36 made of conventional screening may be fitted over the door opening 37 of the tent to prevent biting insects such as mosquitos or flies from entering thereinto.

In operative use the pole 11 is inserted into the ground with a plurality of support sleeves 23 placed thereupon. The lower ends of the ropes 16 are pulled until the knots 19 are stopped at the pulleys 15, thus indicating that the tent is at its full height. The lower ends of the ropes 16 are now tied to stakes 21, thus the tent is set up. Now the table 24 and cook stove 31 may be inserted into the tubes 27 of the support sleeves, likewise shelves of similar configuration as well as the lamp 32 may be likewise supported from the pole. When weather is pleasant the front flaps of the canvas may be spread apart as shown in FIGURE 3 and supported by means of ropes 38 tied to trees or the like. In case of rain a conical cap 39 made of waterproof material may be placed over the opening at the apex of the tent to prevent rain entering therein. A pair of ropes 40 connected to the cap 39 provide a means for drawing the cap over the upper end of the tent.

In FIGURE 7 a detailed construction is shown to indicate how the tent is supported in operative use. The pole 41 is shown to include adjustment means 42 whereby the upper end of the pole may be made higher or lower as preferred by the person. At the upper end of the pole, the pipe flange 13 provides securement means for S-hooks 43 to which the coil springs 14 are secured. One end of a safety rope 44 is likewise secured to the S-hook 43 and the other end of the safety rope is secured to an S-hook 45 to which also the lower end of the spring 14 is secured. One end of a short rope 46 is secured to S-hook 45, the opposite end of the short rope 46 being connected to a ring 47 that is used for holding up the canvas cover. A pulley 48 is also supported from the S-hook 45, and a long rope 49 is passed around the pulley 48. The rope 49 has a sliding knot 50 at one end, the knot 50 having four turns formed therein. The opposite end of the long rope 49 is secured by means of loop 51 to a large stake 52 provided with a plurality of notches 53 therein, each of which may be selectively used. A short rope 54 is slideably retained upon the long rope 49, the short rope 54 having a slide knot 55 and 56 at each end to permit the rope to be adjustably moved along the long rope 49. The short rope 54 is for the purpose of holding up the inside Wall 57 which is sewn together to the floor cloth 58. An S-hook 59 is secured to the short rope 54 and to openings 60 along the upper edges of the inside wall 57. An air space 61 is developed between the inside wall 57 and the outside wall 58 as shown in FIGURE 7 of the drawing. This inside air space 61 between the walls permits smoke to go out from within the tent.

The adjustable pole has four sections, three of which are 54 inches long made from a TV pole, the top section being made of wood to overcome lightning danger. The adjustment 42 includes a bolt 62 and nut 63 which are adjustably retained upon for adjusting the pole assembly. The pole has many uses such as to retain the removable charcoal stove, grill and table. Openings are provided therein for retaining a lantern, candle, kettle or supporting clothes hangers.

The small stake 64 illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawing is used for the purpose of holding the tent bottom outwardly between the ropes.

As shown in FIGURE 7 of the drawing, the pole 41 is supported upon the ground surface and does not enter into the ground.

As shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawing, the cap 39 is provided with an opening 39A on one side which may be away from the wind direction to keep rain from blow ing in but allow smoke outwardly, therethrough. While the cap is not necessary, it can be put up with a three quarter inch pipe flange and nipple which fit on top of the pole and can be pulled around with the wind by two ropes and tied to stakes. The cap may have three lines, one to the back to hold down in windy weather, and the other two to open it as wide as desired on the side away from the wind or pull it around the top of the tent.

The tent is good for warm, cold or rainy weather and resembles generally an Indian teepee in which the fire is made inside and smoke is allowed to go out.

To set up the tent a person should first draw a circle upon the ground with two sticks or stakes and a string or rope one half the width of the tent. If the person wishes he may dig a small ditch for rain just inside the circle for the stakes. He then lays out the tent inside the circle. The person then drives the larger stakes into the loops on the end of the long ropes, starting at each side of the door, which are three and one-half to four feet apart. He then puts the top of the pole in the flange that holds the springs and sets it up and adjusts the same. He then drives the smaller stakes in the loops between the long ropes.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

What I claim is:

1. In a combination camping tent, the combination of a center pole, a canvas canopy, said central pole supporting said canopy, said canopy having a conical configuration, said canvas canopy having an opening at its apex and a door on one side, and means for enclosing said opening at said apex, and means for supporting a stove and table from said center pole, said means for enclosing said opening at said apex comprising a conical configurated cap, said means for supporting said table and cook stove comprising a plurality of supporting sleeves, said supporting sleeves being fitted on said post, each of said supporting sleeves having a flange, each flange having a pair of integral tubes, said table and said cook stove each having a pair of integral rods, the ends of said rods being fitted into said tubes of said support sleeve, and a flap secured along a lower edge of said canvas canopy, said flap form ing selectively a flooring for said tent or an inner wall for a double protection.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6,496 6/1849 Dow 1' 1,123,657 1/1915 Bache 1351 1,418,435 6/ 1922 Gardiner 108106 X 1,498,111 6/1924 Nelsen 135-1 1,742,164 12/1929 Berke 211107 2,177,678 10/1939 Uhri 108106 2,917,187 12/1959 Bergkvist 108107 PETER M. CAUN, Primary Examiner. 

